almost beyond saving

we walk

out into the shallow water.

gingerly

stepping

on the hard

sand.

sinking into the rubble

of eons.

letting the waves

caress

our legs, our waist.

the next wave

into our chins.

we keep going.

we see the sun out there,

we can almost

touch it.

that sinking

orb

of gold.

we keep going until

we're almost

under,

almost beyond saving,

and at last

we hear the whistle blow.